Age of Empires Online has gone free-to-play, Gas Powered Games has announced. Previously only free-to-try, all content is now available through in-game purchased or microtransactions. “We probably turned off a lot of players who would’ve kept playing had they been given the option to earn a Premium Civilization,” systems design lead Eric Williamsontold PC Gamer. […]

Steam has added Age of Empires Online to the free-to-play section of the store, and to celebrate its release, the game’s Greek, Egyptian and Persian civilizations are 50% off, at $4.99 each. You’ll still need a Games for Windows account in order to play it, but that’s it really. Go wild. Thanks, D’toid.

Microsoft has released a preview video for its upcoming Celtic expansion to Age of Empires Online. With the content, players will be able to take on these “masters of metalworking and crafting” as they explore the northern realms and become acquainted with new units, such as the Woad Raiders, Druids, and Swordsmen. The expansion will […]

Microsoft has released a new video for Age of Empires Online, which provides a look at the game’s Skirmish Hall Booster pack. The new skirmish mode allows players to team up and battle four computer-controlled AI enemies which can contain various play-styles represented by eight different leaders. The new mode will also unlock all units […]

“If you’re wondering where PC gaming is going next, this is where it’s going. It’s a huge shift. I’m glad we arrived here, it’s a long time since our industry has been this exciting.” — Gas Powered Games founder Chris Taylor speaking to VentureBeat on Age of Empires Online’s launch day. Thanks, IndustryGamers.

Just a quick reminder, in case the date got lost on you due to all the gamescom hoopla, Robot Entertainment’s Age of Empires Online launches today. If you’ve yet to lay down the funds for it, you can get an idea of the various pricing schemes through here. Thanks, Revolting.

Here’s a new developer diary for Age of Empires Online, part of a marketing campaign which has turned slightly kooky since Gas Powered Games took over. The latest episode explains the different tiers of equipment and how to get ’em, and features the antics of two carefully voiced puppets.

Freemium, free-to-play, the reason your dog’s house is now technically nicer than your own – call it whatever you want. Point is, it’s making waves, and Age of Empires Online’s Chris Taylor thinks it’s far from finished. In fact, when the dust settles, he thinks it’ll be all that’s left.